.30-06 for Feral Hogs

[Skshyk]

Have it your own way, but my experience wasn't good.

Anyway, did you ever see an old Western where the good guy said, "Put your hands up or I'll fill you full of brass." Just doesn't sound right does it? ;-).

And a whole lot of dead animals could tell you that a jacketed lead core (real) bullet does the job well. Bonded bullets are even better.

Fill you with brass ? I don’t think they made solid brass bullets or copper bullets right ? Of course it would not sound right ?

 

[375Fox]

Until the copper shears off and fills in the grooves. Then the rifle won't group, and cleaning that much junk out of the bore becomes a pain in the ass. Yes, that happened to me with Barnes bullets. I understand they're better now, but I'm not inclined to try them. The last hog I shot in California was a boar over 200 pounds. One shot in the shoulder from a .30-06 with a 150 grain lead core bullet (Sierra Game King, maybe). He went about 10 yards, fell over and died.

Lots of very tight groups from many rifles would say otherwise. 150 gr TTSX in my 300 win and 250 gr TTSX from my 375 H&H are the most accurate loads from any of my rifles. Lighter weight bullets pushed fast group very well with Barnes from what I’ve seen. I have had copper fouling issues with 223 but not with 270+ caliber. Experimenting with different all copper bullets is no different than the process with lead core bullets.

 

[Tex .416]

Barnes TTSX handloads are sub-MOA in all of my rifles and most are about 1/2 MOA.

Barnes factory ammo also can be very accurate.

Here are five shots at 100 yards with my wife shooting Barnes factory ammo in her custom .308 Win.

Here are some videos of her shooting pigs with the Barnes TTSX 130 grain.

They work well on deer too.

 

[dchum]

I'd recommend Barnes Vortx loaded with 168gr ttsx.

 

[Zinz]

Hell yes... those are some big ones @dchum

 

[WildWill]

I have never had a bad experience with any mono bullet. Barnes is an easy choice, so are several options from Hammer Bullets.

Been hearing lots of good things about those Hammers recently.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Fill you with brass ? I don’t think they made solid brass bullets or copper bullets right ? Of course it would not sound right ?

Yeah. I was joking.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

I have a question for my learned friends on AH. I'm passing my dad's .30-06 on to my nephew. He says he would like to kill some wild hogs. Easy so far. Now the problem. He lives in California and must use non-lead ammo. I am not a fan of the monometal bullets and do not have any experience hunting with them. He does not reload and will have to buy ammo.

What should I tell him to buy?

Okay. I think I've got it. If we can find them, I think Barnes or Buffalo Barnes in 165 grain TTSX is going to be the best bet for California hogs.

I still do not see any reason to use them outside of California. Many reports of monometals failing to expand, sometimes with the loss of the animal. I've already told how Barnes bullets filled in the grooves on my .30-06, making the bore look like a tiny shotgun. Due to copper being less dense than lead, many bullets do not fully penetrate when they do expand, leaving a skimpy blood trail. Since going to bonded lead core bullets I have never recovered a bullet from many North American and African PG, and everything I've shot has died quickly In other words, it looks to me like using lead free bullets is just caving to the California Greenies cult. I moved out of there 30 years ago and have no intention of bringing their ideology with me.

So much for the soap box. I do want to thank everyone for taking the time to answer my question. The information was really helpful. Now we just have to see if these will shoot well out of my dad's old '06.

 

[CJW]

Have you considered CEB's?

 

[Daisy]

Hammer hht or CEB Maximus would be my two suggestions. Make sure the barrel twist of the rifle will support the bullet you choose.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Have you considered CEB's?

Can't say that I have. Are those available in loaded ammo? My nephew doesn't reload and I live in a different state.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Hammer hht or CEB Maximus would be my two suggestions. Make sure the barrel twist of the rifle will support the bullet you choose.

Are they available in loaded ammo?

 

[Doug Hamilton]

I've used the Federal Premium ammo loaded with the 165 and 180 grain Barnes TSX and have no complaints. Shoots really well out of my model 70.

Thanks.

 

[CJW]

Can't say that I have. Are those available in loaded ammo? My nephew doesn't reload and I live in a different state.

Forgot about that part. For some reason though, I do think that someone was loading them but it could be one of those smaller custom loaders that usually means $$$.

 

[CJW]

I'll be darned it looks like CEB's themselves do. But $$$ and out of stock.

MAXIMUS 30-06 180gr - 20ct

MAXIMUS 30-06 180gr- 20ct

cuttingedgebullets.com

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Forgot about that part. For some reason though, I do think that someone was loading them but it could be one of those smaller custom loaders that usually means $$$.

And ammo.in California noe had to have a criminal background check (like a firearm). I think you have to buy it in person at a dealer.

 

[CJW]

And ammo.in California noe had to have a criminal background check (like a firearm). I think you have to buy it in person at a dealer.

That's ridiculous!

Found it here as well.

CUTTING EDGE BULLETS AMMO 30-06 SPRG 180gr MAXIMUS 20/bx - Graf & Sons

Loaded with Cutting Edge Bullet's best-selling Maximus™ bullets, this hunting ammo is designed for those who want maximum terminal performance for maximum take down power. After 2 inches of penetration, 4 petals break off and radiate outward in a star pattern while the base continues, giving you...

www.grafs.com

On their TOS page they don't talk about any special restrictions for shipping to CA. Only IL and MA

Terms of Service - Graf & Sons

www.grafs.com

 

[Ryan]

Make sure he's cleaned the bore of Dad's old rifle before switching over. It helps, don't know why.

 

[RR 314]

These were all Barnes TSX . . .

 

[Doug Hamilton]

That's ridiculous!

Found it here as well.

CUTTING EDGE BULLETS AMMO 30-06 SPRG 180gr MAXIMUS 20/bx - Graf & Sons

Loaded with Cutting Edge Bullet's best-selling Maximus™ bullets, this hunting ammo is designed for those who want maximum terminal performance for maximum take down power. After 2 inches of penetration, 4 petals break off and radiate outward in a star pattern while the base continues, giving you...

www.grafs.com

On their TOS page they don't talk about any special restrictions for shipping to CA. Only IL and MA

Terms of Service - Graf & Sons

www.grafs.com

That may be true. As I said, I haven't lived there in 30 years and I'm not going back! I am sure about the background check though. I still have many friends and family living there.

Make sure he's cleaned the bore of Dad's old rifle before switching over. It helps, don't know why.

I've heard that as well. After I got it I took it to the gunsmith Ed Labour and had all of the metal gone over. I haven't shot it since so I don't know how it will do but it should be good. I guess I'll have to figure out the twist on the barrel as some of the non lead bullets are said to be fussy about that as well.